Jim Leavitt Investigation Drags On at USF

It's been nearly a month now since the University of South Florida started its internal-external investigation of head football coach Jim Leavitt.

There was some stirring of the cauldron in Tampa this week. USF senior Colby Erskin, a wide receiver who has suffered through three knee surgeries, came out with more information on an AOL Fanhouse story live on radio station WDAE .

Erskin made a number of claims, including:

1. Joel Miller, the player at the center of the investigation, told him that Leavitt did, in fact, strike him and sought advice from Erskin on how to handle the incident.

2. Leavitt believes Erskin was one of the five players who leaked the original story to Fanhouse writer Brett McMurphy. Erskin emphatically denied this claim.

3. Other USF players have told external investigator, attorney Tom Gonzalez, that Leavitt did strike Miller at halftime of the Louisville game.

The Fanhouse story was recounted in the St. Petersburg Times , the Tampa Tribune , and by ESPN Big East blogger Brian Bennett.

Leavitt has denied any-and-all accusations from the start and continues to do so.

Critics of the accusations will contend that Erskin has an ax to grind with Leavitt. When he went live on WDAE with host Steve Duemig, he accused Leavitt of removing items from his locker and throwing them in a trash can, including his International Bowl jersey.

Leavitt denies those accusations as well.

Erskin is a senior and graduated from USF in December with a degree in criminology.

While the investigation continues, Leavitt is on the road recruiting.

Leavitt announced this week that defensive end Jason Pierre Paul will enter the NFL draft, where he is projected to be a first round pick.